Beating the defending Super Bowl champs, on their home turf, the Cowboys made the first statement of the NFL season by dumping the Giants 24-17.

Tony Romo shrugged of an early interception and threw three touchdown passes. Wide receiver Kevin Olgetree was the star of the game with eight catches, 114 yards and two touchdowns. DeMarco Murray had 20 carries for 131 yards, picking up where he left off before his 2011 season was cut short by injury. And the Cowboys defense, upgraded over the offseason, looked good on the field, and not just on paper.

For one night, the Cowboys were ready for prime time. Even when they made mistakes, they kept making plays. Will it last into January and beyond? Nobody can be certain. But for Cowboys backers, the NFL 2012 season opener was a good sign. Maybe the big stage, and big moments, won't be too big for the Cowboys.

"We knew what type of environment we were going to be in, what type of challenge it was going to be," said Ogletree, who had a career game to start his fourth season. "It's just a good feeling right now. A big deal during the offseason was the word 'finish.' It's written all over our team facility. It's big to finish the game, close it out when you get that opportunity."

The Cowboys let too many games slip away in 2011. They lost too many leads; made too many crucial mistakes. It has been a recurring theme for the Cowboys during the Romo era — opportunities lost. Owner Jerry Jones has even talked about the Cowboys' window of opportunity closing.

However, the Cowboys were the hungrier team Wednesday. They had been pointing to this game for months, ever since the schedule came out. The Giants ruined the Cowboys' season in 2011, beating them twice, including the regular-season finale that sent the Giants to the playoffs, and sent the Cowboys packing.

"Take a bite of humble pie is basically what it is. It brings you right back to earth. There won't be any blowing smoke up their rear ends as far as that. Last year is last year and this year is this year."

This year clearly holds more promise for the Cowboys. Their secondary is much better, with rookie corner Morris Claiborne and free-agent pickup Brandon Carr both playing well.

Jones was smiling in the locker room afterward, seeing some of his investments pay off.

"I liked the way that we won the game," Jones said. "This bunch played and stayed the course."

The Cowboys showed a sense of resolve, a feeling that they were willing to do whatever it took. It started when tight end Jason Witten decided to play, despite a spleen injury he got last month. Seeing Witten take the field inspired his teammates.

"Jason is as good a player as he is at his position," Romo said. "When a guy steps on the football field, it changes the dynamic. It just shows the commitment level that this guy has to play the game. I'm lucky to have a guy like him in our locker room. The rest of our team is as well."

Romo also showed resiliency, after throwing an interception in the second quarter that Michael Boley almost returned for a touchdown. But the Cowboys held the Giants to a field goal, and Romo (22-of-29, 307 yards, three touchdowns) played a superb game.

Many of Romo's completions came after he was forced out of the pocket by the Giants' superb pass rush. Romo's ability to escape trouble, and to make plays, makes him an asset. If he can also make fewer mistakes, the Cowboys will be dangerous.

Witten believes Romo is already an elite quarterback, waiting for a championship to validate his place in the game.

"Tony has taken that next step," Witten said. "Until he wins a title, he's probably not going to get the credit he's due. But our team realizes we go as he goes."

Romo does need a championship for validation, as does this group of Cowboys. Winning Wednesday was just the beginning of a long season. Who knows if Miles Austin and Murray can stay healthy; if Dez Bryant (four catches, 85 yards) can stay out of trouble?

If they can, the Cowboys have enough firepower to make the playoffs, especially if they show the discipline not to have a letdown after this victory.

"It's only one game, but hey, that's the world champs," Witten said. "To come up here, we talked about it all offseason long, we talked about his team, beating them at their place. I think it sets the tone for our team, that we're able to win."

We will see if the Cowboys are good enough to win in December and January, where they have fallen short in the past. But for openers, the Cowboys were clearly good enough. Which gives their season has intriguing possibilities.